Cola Ch 1
Chapter one for Cola's backstory.
"She's so cute." Jensang says as she looks upon her six year old child.
Thet, the father, watches with her. They hold each other and give each other a quick kiss before returning to sleep.
The small family of sangheili sleep soundly, unknowing of the beings that lurk in the dark, watching through their windows.
They wake the next morning as usual. Jensang goes to wake Cola.
She goes and stands over her for a few moments.
Cola smells of flowers. Like a lighter smelling lavender. It complements the room's cool and dark interior.
She opens the curtains to let the dawning light splash into the room like a flood.
She goes back and kisses Cola's forehead.
"Wake up, angel." Jensang coos.
She pets Cola's face as she slowly wakes.
Her eyes open and when she sees her mother, her four mandibles curl up into a smile.
Her small grey body glistens in the morning sun as she stretches.
Her eyes are a warm, buttery yellow surrounded by her black sclera that also gleams with the tepid sunlight.
"Morning, mom." Cola responds.
Her voice is deep despite her small size. It's calm and composed.
"Come. Breakfast is ready." She says.
Cola hops off her bed and follows close behind her mother.
Her head barely comes up to just under Jensang's waist.
She's always been small. Her parents know she's a runt, but they love her still.
She sits at the table, being just tall enough to see over it.
Jen plates her a portion of food and sits back down.
They have a nice quiet morning.
As they eat, a face watches them from outside. Peering through the window, staring straight at Cola.
Thet can feel something watching them. He looks to the windows and notices the dark face in the window as it whisks itself away.
He squints a bit. He continues to eat, thinking on what to do.
A few moments go by. Thoughts run wild in Thet's head. He doesn't let it show on his face.
"I'll be right back." He says.
He stands and heads for the door.
"What is it?" Jensang asks.
"Just checking on something." He answers.
His voice is a bit more serious than usual. Jen picks up on it and looks at Cola. She's eating and in her own world, looking down and playing with her food as she eats it. She pokes at it with her fork.
He walks out the door. Jensang follows but she only looks outside from the window.
She watches him as he searches around the house's exterior.
Jensang begins to feel a slight fear. Thet's instincts have always served him well.
He goes around the house a few times, coming back in with a still stern look on his face.
"What is it?" She whispers to him.
"I saw someone watching us through the window. They're gone now." He whispers back to her, keeping quiet.
"Did you get a good look at them?"
"No. Mere shadows. But there was someone."
"What are we going to do?"
He squints as he thinks about it.
"I'll keep watch tonight. You sleep with Cola in our bed."
She frowns. But she knows she won't convince him otherwise.
"Okay, Thet. Please be careful."
He gives her a nod before returning to the table.
Cola didn't even notice either of them get up. She continues to eat in childlike ignorance.
Jensang watches Cola, slight concern as she thinks of the worst of possibilities.
Cola finishes her food.
"Mom, what are we doing today?"
"I don't know, sweetie. Let me speak with dad okay?"
"Okay."
Cola hops down and goes to her room.
"Should we go out?" Jen asks.
"No. It's safer here, in our own home. I'll get the rifle. You keep the sword close along with Cola."
"Okay. We'll stay in the bedroom and close the blinds." Jansang says as she retreats to Cola's room and takes her to the main bedroom.
"Mom? What are we doing?"
Cola looks at her mother, confused.
"We're just gonna stay in today, okay?"
"Okay..."
Cola doesn't ask, but she knows the morning is off.
"You wait here." Jen says as she places Cola on the center of the bed.
Cola watches closely as she leaves the room for a moment.
Jen approaches Thet as he puts his armor on.
"Should we tell her what's going on?" She asks.
"Yes. She should know. She probably knows something is up already."
He's calm yet tense. He sounds almost angry, yet he keeps his voice under control.
"Here is my sword. Have it ready."
Jen takes one last look at him. She frowns as she feels a sense of fear and urgency.
She turns and goes back to Cola.
She notices the sword in Jen's hand and keeps to herself, thinking quietly.
Jensang sits on the edge of the bed, also thinking. Awful thoughts swirling around her head.
The silence is hollow as the mother and child sit in mild darkness.
It's a few moments before Jen says anything.
"Cola."
"Yes?"
"Your father thinks there's someone outside that wants to hurt us. He's standing guard outside this room."
Cola just stares at Jen, waiting for her to say more.
"He's usually correct about these things. We just want you to know...something may happen, okay?" Jen says.
"Okay." Cola responds. She doesn't seem too worried at all.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. I believe in dad."
Jen can't help but smile and her fear is at least a little bit alleviated. If Cola can have faith, so can she.
She sits behind Cola and holds her close. Her large, warm body envelopes the small sangheili. They look the same other than Jen's purple eyes.
They spend the rest of the day like that, Jen embracing Cola.
By nighttime, Cola sleeps soundly in Jen's arms. Her little body rises and falls with her slow and steady breathing.
The night goes on, and Thet stands alert.